'An Anna Chaplain is someone who walks alongside you in your later life and hears your story'

The Revd Sally Rees (Photo credit: Diocese of Swansea and Brecon)

It is well worth reading in full an article posted on the website of the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. It is by the Revd Sally Rees who was one of the first Anna Chaplains and became BRF Ministries' Church Lead for Anna Chaplaincy in Wales. Based in Crickhowell, Sally makes a compelling case for Anna Chaplaincy explaining how the majority of such chaplains in Wales are in rural areas. Anna Chaplaincy: Walking alongside older people — The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

'That brings challenges' she says, 'because people live rurally with very limited transport and can become quite isolated. Some churches in those areas are closing or have very limited services so it’s really important that we can get to them.

Another challenge, and one we need to do much more work in, is dementia care. More and more people are living with dementia and it's a difficult subject to broach. People hide it very well and families sometimes find it hard to accept. So, learning how we care well for people living with dementia is a major area. Sometimes the person living with dementia is mostly unaware of this and may live happily, but for those caring for that person, life can be really hard. So, supporting the family member or carer becomes as important or more important during a visit or encounter.

Sally also tells the story of her own journey towards Anna Chaplaincy:

God has led me throughout my journey to Anna Chaplaincy and as I look back over my life I can see how God was preparing me for this.'

'When I was 16 and got my place to go nursing, somebody asked me why I wanted to be a nurse. I've been reminded of this recently. I said, "I want to be near people who are sick and those who are dying." I think that's absolutely remarkable, because I hadn't really remembered saying it. But looking back over my life I can see that all of that nursing experience was giving me the skills, knowledge and gifts that I needed to be an Anna Chaplain in ministry to older people.'

'Alongside Anna Chaplaincy we're also developing bereavement care. Anna Chaplains often walk alongside people to their last days, and then continue caring for those left behind.

We're introducing The Bereavement Journey course in different places. There's also an online national course.

Anna Chaplaincy therefore includes pastoral care, support for those living with dementia and often significant bereavement ministry.'

Do take time to read all she has to say about her own experience of Anna Chaplaincy and of leading others to engage with it too. Anna Chaplaincy: Walking alongside older people — The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

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